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Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Maintaining Good Nutrition

Topic Overview

Getting a person with
Alzheimer's disease or another
dementia to eat enough may be a challenge in some
cases. Some of these tips may help you.

If the person resists using a spoon or fork,
don't force the issue. Some people may have vision or motor problems that make
using a spoon or fork difficult. Serve food that can be easily eaten, such as
finger foods. Prepare foods the person likes and don't worry too much about how
the food is eaten.

Offer food more often, including healthy
mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.

Set aside enough time for
meals. The person may take longer to eat.

Limit choices, which can
be confusing. Serve meals in courses, one food at a time.

Make sure
the person's dentures fit properly. Uncomfortable dentures can make eating
painful and keep the person from eating enough.

If the person is
losing weight, consider adding a liquid nutrition drink, such as Ensure, to his
or her diet. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for more
information.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.